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Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni thinks the title race will come down to a photo finish, but still believes Milan will hold on.

This weekend's Derby della Madonnina is being billed as a title decider with Inter just two points behind the League leaders at the business end of the season

Interviewed by La Gazzetta dello Sport, Trapattoni said: “I like Max Allegri. He has been a wonderful surprise. In the summer everyone was convinced that he'd play five or six strikers to make Berlusconi happy. Instead Allegri has changed Milan's mentality. He has convinced his champions that first they must win the ball then try and fling it in the back of the net.

“An illogical team has all of a sudden become a title contender thanks to three words: spirit of sacrifice. Let's put it this way. This time Milan-Inter seems like a Champions League game and in the Cup the great Zlatan has never made the difference. Eleven players must win the derby then Ibra will resolve the remaining games by himself.

“If Milan want to win the Scudetto they must stop Inter now in the derby. If Leonardo overtakes Milan the title race is over. The Nerazzurri would become like those American aircraft carriers that win all the wars. Unassailable.”

As the two San Siro sides battle over Brazilian Ganso, Thiago Silva reveals why he’ll choose Inter. “You can’t say no to Leonardo.”

The local rivals have made no secret of their interest in bringing 21-year-old playmaker Paulo Henrique Ganso to Serie A, especially after he told Santos this week that he wanted a move to Europe.

Someone in the same position was Thiago Silva, who joined the Rossoneri when current Inter boss Leonardo was in charge.

“I owe him a great deal, as Leonardo was very important in my career,” he told the Gazzetta dello Sport.

“I’ll reveal a little secret: before signing for Milan, I was in negotiations with Inter. Well, Leonardo started calling me on the phone. He talked about the team, Milanello and my future.

“After a few weeks of this, I slammed the door on Inter and signed for Milan. I think he’ll take the same approach with Ganso.

“Unfortunately, it won’t be easy to convince Ganso to turn down Inter with Leonardo there. He always has the right words.”

Thiago Silva also commented on the upcoming Milan derby, which won’t have Zlatan Ibrahimovic, even though his three-match ban was reduced to two on appeal.

“I still think it’s excessive. Ibra’s gesture was ugly, but he didn’t hurt anyone and didn’t deserve such a heavy punishment. It’s a big blow losing him for the derby. I guess I’ll have to score instead!”

Nicola Legrottaglie says God's will was behind his transfer from Juventus to Milan in the January transfer window.

The veteran defender surprisingly crossed the divide after Juventus brought in Andrea Barzagli from Wolfsburg.

“My move to Milan was also a project wanted by Jesus,” Legrottaglie said.

“I was a step away from signing for Cesena: but I wasn't convinced and so I decide to take some time. I started to pray and I felt that I should wait until the last moment. Then came a phone call from Adriano Galliani: it was God's will.”

Asked about next week's clash with Inter, Legrottaglie said: “After the derby we are all going to celebrate together in church.”

“At times we joke about it. They tell me that Milan is a fantastic club, with great infrastructure, that Italian football is quite strong and the marking is tight.

“There are always inquiries in the transfer market. Anyway up until now a concrete offer has yet to arrive. If I go to Europe it's to play for a big club. I would have to think a lot before going to a medium-sized one.”

Asked about his frequent contact with Inter boss Leonardo, he said: “We are effectively in touch. He gives me advice and suggestions about how to position myself on the pitch. He says that I have to play more advanced in front of goal.

“Sure, he always says that he wants me at Inter, but he isn't forcing me into a move. I don't know when it will happen. It's my idea to play in Europe, but it will happen at the right moment,” he concluded.

Santos' Brazil international starlet Paulo Henrique Ganso has reiterated his desire to leave for Europe, alerting Inter and Milan.

Both clubs have publically expressed their interest in the talented No 10 and are expected to fight it out for his signature in the near future.

“Ganso has spoken little,” said Santos President Luis Alvaro Ribeiro. “But he has repeated to me what has been said in recent days - that is that he wants to go and play in Europe.

“It's an absolutely understandable dream. We would like him to respect the contract that ties him to us until 2015, so the idea of lowering his buy-out clause is one that doesn't exist.

“Anyway we are open to offers, but they must be really convenient to us. Right now Ganso is taking the time that he wants to think it over, but I have reminded him that he has a valid contract with us.”

Brazilian legend Ronaldo has tipped Inter to beat Milan in the Derby della Madonnina on April 2.

The 34-year-old, who retired in February, played for both clubs in his fabulous career.

Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Ronaldo said: “The derby is the derby, a game in itself.”

Pressed to pick a winner, he replied: “OK, I believe Inter [will do it] because they have found their own style of play again, but above all because of their confidence.

“I see a more confident Inter than Milan, and this can count.”

Asked if he feels that Inter would win the Scudetto in the event that they were to beat Milan, Ronaldo said: “It's difficult to say with another seven games still to play, but I really think so.

“You know what Leonardo has always said to me? That winning helps you win. Getting used to it is difficult, but then it's great. Inter have managed it only after a long time and lots of hard work. I really don't believe that they'll stop now."

Parma full-back Cristian Zaccardo claims that his counterpart at Palermo, Federico Balzaretti, will join Milan in the summer.

Milan are known to be looking to bolster their options at full-back at the end of the season and have been linked with Balzaretti in the past.

Speaking to Sky Italia, Zaccardo said: “I still don't know what I'll do. I could finish my career at Parma, but also make a jump in quality in June to a team in the Champions League.

“It would be a dream to play in this competition. I will talk with the club. We'll evaluate everything. But now we are thinking about survival. I have heard from a mutual friend that Balzaretti is going to Milan.”

Meanwhile, Balzaretti's agent says there is no substance to Zaccardo's claims.

Milan midfielder Rino Gattuso admits that there is a fear within the dressing room that the team risks letting the Scudetto slip through its fingers.

The gap at the top closed to just two points on Sunday and next week's Derby della Madonnina against champions Inter is already being billed as a title decider.

Interviewed by La Gazzetta dello Sport, Gattuso said: “It's a fact. We could have gone seven points clear and instead find ourselves with a two-point lead before the derby. It's been 10 days since things started going in the wrong direction.

“If the title race is open again, it's our fault, but destiny is in our hands. The derby will be decisive. We must prepare for it well both in the head and in the legs.

“I expected more from the entire team. And it angers me that in Palermo every time we put a ball in the box there was no one ready to put it in the back of the net.

“If Mathieu Flamini and I were the most dangerous players, there is something not right.”

Massimiliano Allegri is keeping calm after Milan’s surprise loss in Sicily. “We’re still top of the table. A defeat can happen.”

The Rossoneri fell 1-0 to Palermo this evening, their first away defeat since the trip to Cesena in Week 2.

“Going down early on was not helpful and we didn’t play well in the first half, especially the final third,” said Allegri.

“It was better after the break, although considering all our possession, we didn’t have enough shots on target.

“Although it was better to avoid it, a defeat can happen. Fortunately we are going into the break for international duty now and have time to get our ideas in order. In any case, we are still top of the table, then we’ll see what Inter and Napoli do tomorrow.”

If Inter beat Lecce at San Siro, they’ll move to within two points of Milan with the derby coming up in a fortnight.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic will be suspended for that clash, as today he began his three-match ban.

“There’s no point talking about how important Ibra is for us, but tonight we should’ve done more. We have to analyse what didn’t work.

“Alexandre Pato and Antonio Cassano were playing as a pair for the first time, so it’s natural it’d take a while to settle. I had to look at the full 90 minutes, as Robinho is tired and Kevin-Prince Boateng cannot play a full game at the moment.

“I remain convinced Milan are the favourites for the Scudetto, so even if things go badly, we’ll still be two points in front.”

They have lost their last four consecutive visits to the Stadio Barbera and haven't won here since 2006. The Rossoneri had lost only once on their travels this season, 2-0 at Cesena in Week 2.

Both sides made big changes for this Saturday night clash. The Serie A leaders were forced to do without Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who started his three-match ban, so Antonio Cassano, Alexandre Pato and Clarence Seedorf made their first start as a trio. Palermo had lost five on the trot and surprisingly dropped captain Fabrizio Miccoli in favour of Josip Ilicic in a new advanced role. Dorin Goian returned from a two-month lay-off in defence, as Mattia Cassani was injured and Cesare Bovo suspended.

Palermo took the lead with their first real opportunity. A corner kick was whipped in and not cleared effectively, so as the Rossoneri defenders stood around appealing for offside, Goian was allowed to fire into the roof of the net from six yards.

Straight away at the other end, Mathieu Flamini's strike was deflected wide and from the corner it rolled along an empty goal as Alessandro Nesta just failed to get the final touch at the back post.

Marek Jankulovski picked up a serious-looking knee injury early on and was carried off in favour of Luca Antonini.

Pato curled a free kick over the bar, but for all their possession, Milan risked going 2-0 down when Javier Pastore flashed a shot across the face of goal.

Seedorf's free kick was charged down by the defensive wall, while Christian Abbiati smothered another long-range effort from Mauricio Pinilla following Pastore's backheel flick.

Cassano burst down the right flank only to blast his finish wide of the near post, then Flamini couldn't quite get the final touch to his cross. Thiago Silva intercepted a dangerous Pastore pull-back for Pinilla in the box.

Salvatore Sirigu's first real intervention was at the 45th minute, coming off his line to smother at Pato's feet from a Seedorf through ball.

The Rossoneri tried to push forward more after the break, but it just left huge gaps for the counter, where Pinilla and Ilicic tested Abbiati.

Cassano's angled drive was charged down in the area by Esequiel Munoz and Kevin-Prince Boateng was introduced for Mark Van Bommel.

Palermo went so close to a second on the counter, as Federico Balzaretti sent Pastore through to roll across for Milan-owned Matteo Darmian to fire wide at the back post.

A long-range Pinilla snapshot was well held and Pato's rising angled drive stung Sirigu's palms, although he was offside. The Brazilian picked up a knock during that move and limped off for Robinho.

Milan had a great chance on 65 minutes when Boateng pulled back for Flamini's half-volley, forcing a flying save out of Sirigu.

The goalkeeper also got hold of a Robinho effort at the end of a well-worked move. The former Manchester City striker aimed a cross-shot at the near post, where Sirigu beat it away.

Cosmi made a surprising change, replacing Pastore with Miccoli. Seedorf blasted wide and Gennaro Gattuso almost scored a spectacular equaliser, his diving header forcing a great reaction save from Sirigu.

Abbiati spilled a Miccoli solo effort, but managed to scramble control of the loose ball, but the final 15 minutes were all Milan laying siege on the Sicilians.

In stoppages Abel Hernandez and Miccoli went two against one on the counter, but the Uruguayan hit a weak finish wide. Giulio Migliaccio timed his tackle perfectly to stop Robinho in the box.

Milan boss Max Allegri has told his players to expect a tough test when they travel to play Palermo in Sicily this weekend.

The League leaders are looking to preserve their five-point advantage at the top ahead of the upcoming Derby della Madonnina.

“Serse Cosmi is a prepared Coach who knows how to manage his team,” Allegri said.

“It will be difficult because Palermo are coming off five straight defeats. They are playing at home and are a team in possession of undeniable technical qualities in midfield and in attack.

“We'll find an opponent who can create a lot of difficulties for us. We know that they don't joke in attack. Yes, the numbers says that on a defensive level they concede something, but every game is different. Milan will need to give a great technical performance.

“Palermo have players who can make the difference like Pastore, Miccoli and Pinilla, but I wouldn't like to forget that we have Nesta, Thiago Silva, Pato and Seedorf.

“The team is good and if we manage to stay calm and collected at the Barbera we will give a great performance.”

Pippo Inzaghi hopes to be back playing again in April and would like to help Milan down the final straight towards the Scudetto.

The 37-year-old suffered a serious knee injury earlier this season and it was initially feared that he wouldn't play again until the end of the campaign.

“I am fine,” he said. “My knee is better. I hope to be back on the pitch next month. I have a great desire to play and give my contribution for the Scudetto, but I'll only return when I'm 100 per cent. I don't want to rush back if I am not better.

“I want to return and be the same Inzaghi as before.

“I still have a lot of desire to play. I don't know if one day I would like to become a Coach. I could, but I am afraid I'd get angry too much.”

Milan scraped a point at San Siro against bottom club Bari thanks to Antonio Cassano, but Zlatan Ibrahimovic saw red.

The Rossoneri had to focus on the Scudetto after their Champions League elimination this week and were boosted by Inter's 1-1 draw at Brescia on Friday night. There were numerous changes from the side that failed to beat Tottenham, including Luca Antonini, Gennaro Gattuso, Mark Van Bommel and Alexander Merkel. Bari missed Paulo Barreto, Salvatore Masiello, Vitalii Kutuzov, Andrea Raggi, Alessandro Parisi and the suspended Alessandro Gazzi.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic squeezed between two defenders for Robinho's shot charged down by Glik. From the poorly-cleared corner, Gattuso drilled wide.

Bari also threatened, as Simone Bentivoglio unleashed a snapshot to skim the near post with a slight deflection off Thiago Silva.

Abdel Ghezzal was robbed by Ibra at the by-line, but Jean-Francois Gillet intelligently intercepted the cut-back.

Ibrahimovic put amazing power behind a free kick that almost propelled Gillet back into his own net, but the Belgian goalkeeper did just enough to parry.

Bari sat back and frustrated Milan, but took full advantage of their only real chance to take the lead! It was a well-worked free kick, as Sergio Almiron pretended to blast it, but instead rolled past the defensive wall to find Gergely Rudolf in acres of space for a precise angled drive.

Remarkably, that was only the eighth goal Bari have scored on their travels all season and stunned San Siro into silence.

Ibra had the chance to equalise just before the break, but his shot was deflected out for a corner off Nicola Belmonte. Pato was tripped in stoppages for a free kick and The Duck stepped up, curling it straight into the arms of Gillet.

Urby Emanuelson replaced Merkel for the second half.

Within 40 seconds of the restart, Milan thought they had equalised when Ibra knocked down a cross for Robinho to tap in at the back post. He was flagged offside, but replays suggest the Brazilian was level.

Robinho's angled drive was straight at Gillet and made way for Bari native Antonio Cassano. Luca Antonini had a great chance to equalise, but got the ball caught under his feet from nine yards.

Milan had another goal disallowed on the hour mark. Ibra chested down the ball - with the aid of his arm - and blasted into the top corner, but was booked for the handling offence.

Gillet flew to palm an Ignazio Abate cross-shot round the near post. Ibrahimovic rolled a ball across the six-yard box, but Huseklepp improvised as a defender with a last-ditch sliding interception to stop Emanuelson tapping in at the back post.

Ibrahimovic was having a nightmare and flashed an angled drive across the face of goal from Cassano's assist.

The tension got to the Swede, who had already been booked, but was shown a straight red card for a reaction foul on Marco Rossi. It was only a slight prod in the ribs, but still enough to warrant at least a second booking. He'll be suspended for next week's game against Palermo and possibly even the Milan derby.

Moments later, Pato wanted a penalty for Rinaldi's nudge, but the referee waved play on. In fact, it was nearly 2-0 on the break for Bari, as Abdel Ghezzal surged past Gattuso and the pull-back was scuffed wide by Almiron.

Huseklepp also threatened on the counter, but Gattuso got back to clean up in the area after he had skipped past Alessandro Nesta.

Milan finally broke through to equalise with Bari home boy Cassano eight minutes from time. A through ball sent Antonini down the left and he flicked up a cross for Cassano's cushioned volley from eight yards.

It still wasn't over, though, as Christian Abbiati made his first save of the game by having his palms stung by a Bentivoglio snapshot.

Gillet flew to push a Thiago Silva screamer round the near post, then Cassano at full stretch couldn't get his toe to Pato's cross.

Massimiliano Allegri insists it’s too early for Milan to put their hands on the Scudetto, even after Inter’s unexpected draw last night.

A victory over bottom of the table Bari would put the Rossoneri seven points clear at the top of the table.

“We are only racing against ourselves,” warned the Coach. “The fixture list ahead of us is not the easiest and we must absolutely not underestimate Bari. They’re worth more than their points in the table would suggest and are coming off a couple of strong performances.

“It is far too early for us to celebrate and a win over Bari would certainly not mean we’d have the Scudetto.”

Kevin-Prince Boateng and Marek Jankulovski are out, while others could be rested after the Champions League trip to Tottenham.

“Zlatan Ibrahimovic is tired, which is only normal at this stage of the season, especially as he played practically every game.

“I maintain this is his best campaign and he should start. Alexandre Pato is the only player certain to start against Bari. As for the rest, I have some doubts in midfield and at left-back.”

The European exit means the Rossoneri must focus on Serie A and the Coppa Italia.

“I would’ve liked to continue in the Champions League and feel we deserved to, but if Tottenham went through then it means we made a mistake somewhere over the two legs. If I’d had Andrea Pirlo, Massimo Ambrosini and the January buys, then perhaps it would’ve been different.”

Massimiliano Allegri believes “Milan did everything possible and over two legs deserved to go through” against Tottenham.

The 0-0 draw at White Hart Lane was not enough, as Spurs qualified thanks to their late 1-0 winner on the counter-attack in the first game.

“The team put in a fine performance tonight and I think over the two legs we deserved to go through,” said Allegri.

“Unfortunately, that mistake in the first leg cost us dearly. This evening my Milan did everything it possibly could, showing intensity and technique. We only lacked something in the finishing.

“We created the chances with Robinho and Alexandre Pato, so there was nothing more we could do and I have to compliment these lads.

“This performance must give us more confidence going back into the Serie A race, as we have been improving for a while now.

“I still cannot be satisfied, as there is a great deal of bitterness at going out, but I am comforted by the way my lads fought.”

The best scoring opportunity saw Robinho’s scuffed shot cleared off the line by William Gallas.

“Usually the players don’t make these purely technical errors, but this was a difficult game,” noted Allegri.

“I am happy for Clarence Seedorf, as I really liked him in front of the defence. Zlatan Ibrahimovic lacked something in terms of finishing, but all the front three did well and were only missing a goal. They moved brilliantly.”

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp concedes “Milan made it difficult for us to get near them with that fantastic ability in their team.”

The 1-0 first leg victory proved crucial, as the Rossoneri dominated at White Hart Lane, but were unable to break the deadlock.

“It’s a great night for the players, the fans and everyone. We’re delighted,” he told ITV.

“It was hard work out there tonight, Milan are a good side and you can see why they’re a great club with the tradition of winning the Champions League.

“They showed it tonight, coming here with players like (Clarence) Seedorf and (Alexandre) Pato; it’s so difficult to get near them with that fantastic ability in their team.

“We worked our socks off, stayed with them and it’s a difficult situation when you come home with that 1-0 lead. You try to protect it, but at the same time want to go for broke and are aware you need to keep hold of that.

“We were out-numbered in the middle of the park. They had Seedorf in that spare role, they narrowed up, had extra men in there, passed it around in midfield and made it difficult for us to get near them.

“I enjoyed the occasion, but I couldn’t say I enjoyed the 90 minutes. You look at the clock and want that 90 minutes to be up.

“It’s a great achievement for this club to be in the last eight of the Champions League. If people can’t appreciate and enjoy this tonight, then they shouldn’t be involved in football.”

Tottenham stars Michael Dawson and Peter Crouch acknowledge Milan “forced us to sit back” in a tense second leg.

Spurs are notorious for their attacking approach and had won all their Champions League home games, but were fortunate to escape with a goalless draw at White Hart Lane, beating the Rossoneri 1-0 on aggregate.

“Winning ugly? Definitely. The first half performance was back to walls, but we worked our socks off. Same in the second half. Look at it now, it’s rocking,” Dawson told ITV.

“Milan forced us to sit back. If you look at the players in our team, we’re very attacking, but we showed a different side to us tonight.

“We’ll enjoy tonight and see who we get in the quarter-final.”

Crouch got the goal in the first leg and insisted Tottenham deserved to reach the next phase.

“It’s huge. The club has never been in the Champions League before, then going to San Siro and winning, the lads defended magnificently tonight, great credit to them,” said the striker. “I’m really pleased and looking forward to the next round. That’s what it was all about.

“Sometimes in the Champions League you need to get results and that means defending from the front. We did that and I think over the two legs deserved to go through.”

Milan dominated at White Hart Lane and were denied by a goalline clearance, but couldn't get the goal and go out of the Champions League.

The Rossoneri had to overturn a 1-0 first leg defeat, but lost Gennaro Gattuso to a lengthy ban after his fracas with Joe Jordan at San Siro. With Andrea Pirlo, Massimo Ambrosini, Pippo Inzaghi and the cup-tied Antonio Cassano, Mark Van Bommel and Urby Emanuelson out, Milan had Kevin-Prince Boateng back just days after spraining his ankle. Tottenham had Rafael Van der Vaart back, but Gareth Bale was only fit for the bench.

Peter Crouch knocked down an Aaron Lennon cross for Van der Vaart, but Christian Abbiati smothered at his feet, getting a kick in the face.

Milan took more control of the game after that initial burst and a fierce Zlatan Ibrahimovic free kick was palmed out for a corner by Heurelho Gomes. Both Van der Vaart and Alexandre Pato had shots charged down in the box.

Milan should've scored on 25 minutes when Pato dribbled round the on-rushing Gomes and rolled into the middle for an unmarked Robinho. He scuffed it on to Benoit Assou-Ekotto's back and it looped into the air, allowing William Gallas to perform a goalline clearance!

Van der Vaart curled a free kick on to the roof of the net, but Abbiati had it covered. Pato was again very dangerous down the left, as he sprung the offside trap on an Ibra through ball and forced Gomes to parry at the base of the near post from a tight angle.

The visitors continued to hold on to the ball for long periods in the first half, dominating possession. Van der Vaart fired straight at Abbiati after a Crouch interception, but then Gallas went sliding in to stop Ibra's pass setting up Pato from nine yards.

Luka Modric charged down a Boateng snapshot after Gomes flapped at an Ignazio Abate cross, while Gallas again had to be alert to cut off Pato's progress.

Straight after the restart, Crouch knocked a Lennon cross down into blank space rather than going for goal. Moments later Sandro intercepted a pass for Ibra as part of a smart Robinho-Abate move.

Thiago Silva's sliding tackle stopped Lennon's progress, including a handling offence, but it bounced off his leg and was clearly involuntary.

Flamini pulled an angled drive across the face of goal after Dawson charged down Pato's shot. Spurs were starting to become dangerous on the counter, but Seedorf bundled a Lennon cross out for a corner with his thigh.

Flamini was booked for a studs-up challenge on Assou-Ekotto, but got the ball. Moments later Pato was carded for being too close to a free kick.

There was a great chance for the Rossoneri on 65 minutes. Abate's low cross from the right found Robinho, but Gomes did just about enough to scramble it clear after two or three attempts from point-blank range.

Bale and Jermaine Jenas replaced Van der Vaart and Steven Pienaar, while Luca Antonini came on for Jankulovski.

Boateng finally ran out of steam and made way for 19-year-old Alexander Merkel. Immediately Sandro threw himself at Merkel's cross-shot to charge it down, then as the move continued Pato's fierce strike shook the side-netting.

In the final 15 minutes it was increasingly a siege on the Tottenham area. Robinho combined with Ibra on the edge of the box for a shot deflected over the bar.

Milan assistant manager Mauro Tassotti feels they can get past Tottenham “even if we are in an emergency situation.”

The Rossoneri lost the first leg 1-0 on home turf and travel to White Hart Lane this evening without Gennaro Gattuso, Massimo Ambrosini, Andrea Pirlo, Pippo Inzaghi or the cup-tied Antonio Cassano, Mark Van Bommel and Urby Emanuelson.

“We need to be balanced,” said Tassotti. “As long as the game is on 0-0, it will be balanced.”

“The team is convinced it can have a great game, even if we know the fans will push Tottenham on. It’ll be a match open to any result.

“We played well in the first leg, but lost anyway. I think quite aside from Gareth Bale’s presence, Tottenham are a strong side, but I repeat that despite our missing players, we intend to play a great game.”

“It is very probable” Kevin-Prince Boateng will be on the pitch against Tottenham tomorrow, said Milan chief Adriano Galliani.

The Ghana international was thought to be out of action after limping off at half-time during Saturday’s 1-0 win at Juventus.

He was diagnosed with a sprained ankle, but is making a remarkable recovery and trained with his teammates today.

“I was not at Milanello this morning, but from the news I hear, it is very probable Boateng will be on the field tomorrow,” revealed Vice-President Galliani.

It is the second leg of the Champions League tie at White Hart Lane and an uphill struggle for Milan, who lost 1-0 at home.

“As you know, I cannot predict the future and do not want to get into predictions. What I can say is that we are playing in a beautiful stadium and, as always, it will be intriguing to play in England.”

Gennaro Gattuso is suspended following his brawl with Joe Jordan at the end of the last game, while Antonio Cassano, Mark Van Bommel and Urby Emanuelson are cup-tied.

England manager Fabio Capello has warned Milan that Tottenham winger Gareth Bale is the No 1 in the world in his position.

The Wales international is expected to play the second leg of their Champions League knockout tie at White Hart Lane on Wednesday.

Bale was absent with a back injury when the two sides met last month, but Tottenham still recorded a precious 1-0 victory at San Siro.

Italy caught 'Bale fever' earlier this season when the 21-year-old scored a hat-trick against Inter in the group stages of the competition.

Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Capello said: “Today Bale is the No 1 in the world, the only one who can make the difference in that position because he has speed, technique and power, three difficult qualities to find in a player who isn't a striker.

“Bale doesn't start from the back, like a full-back, but pushes and when he gets close to goal he pushes towards the middle and shoots with extraordinary precision.”

Milan boss Massimiliano Allegri says that while Tottenham play great football, they still aren't among the elite in Europe.

The Serie A leaders travel to White Hart Lane on Wednesday in an effort to overturn the 1-0 defeat they suffered in the first leg of their Champions League knockout tie last month.

Speaking to Radio CrC, Allegri said: “We mustn't make mistakes against Tottenham, but they profited with a good counter attack beating us by a goal to nil. However, it must be said that despite playing good football, Tottenham are not among the strongest in Europe.

“Moreover we have the disadvantage that in Europe, the three players who arrived in January can't go out on the pitch. Andrea Pirlo and Massimo Ambrosini are injured and we have a limited number of players in the middle of the pitch.”

Asked about the title race in Serie A, he said: “There are still 10 games left and lots of points to play for.

“Napoli can still fight for the Scudettto also because in this League, you can't allow yourself to get too many games wrong otherwise you risk being caught.

“Keep an eye on Roma, Lazio, Udinese and Juventus who are still in the race for the top four places. Sure, when you win against the second placed team in the table and against Juventus it makes you realise that you are a step away from the title, but it's too soon to make predictions.

“Napoli deserve to be one of the top four teams of the season and I believe that they are not yet out of the fight for the Scudetto.”

Adriano Galliani has distanced Milan from a bid for Ricky Kaka, telling reporters that his prospective return to San Siro would be too expensive.

Last week, Kaka's father appeared to encourage Milan to make a bid for the Real Madrid midfielder who won a Champions League, a Scudetto and the Ballon d'Or in a six-year spell in Italy before leaving for Spain two summers' ago.

“Ricardino earns too much also because they pay less tax,” Galliani said.

“I am sorry that he is having problems in Madrid, but he'd have to reduce his salary a lot to return to Milan…

A very rare goal from Gennaro Gattuso gave Milan victory in Turin and could spell the end as Gigi Del Neri's Juventus suffer a third straight defeat.

The Serie A leaders travelled to Turin against a wounded Juve who had suffered back-to-back defeats against Lecce and Bologna. Del Neri's job was looking increasingly insecure, but they seemed to raise their game against the big clubs, beating Inter only a few weeks ago.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic should've scored within three minutes, but volleyed a Cassano cross over at the back post under pressure from six yards. The home side had more of the ball early on, though, as Felipe Melo had two shots charged down.

Juve had possession, but Milan had the chances, as Marek Jankulovski's through ball sent Cassano clear only for him to lean back as he blasted over the bar from eight yards.

A touched-on free kick for Armand Traore' hit the wall, then a Milos Krasic counter was wasted by an indecisive Alessandri Matri, who was stopped by Thiago Silva. There was an accidental clash when Felipe Melo kicked Boateng's ankle, but they were both able to continue after treatment.

Ibra attempted a volley on a Cassano cross, but completely missed the ball for a fresh-air shot. Buffon came off his line to smother at Boateng's feet after a Thiago Silva ball over the top. Giorgio Chiellini ran a big risk in the final third, but just about managed to stop Ibra going clear.

Robinho replaced Boateng to take the trequartista role, and Mathieu Flamini nodded straight at Buffon from Ignazio Abate's long cross.

Ibrahimovic hit a screamer of a free kick from 25 metres that swerved in the air, forcing Buffon to flap it away for a corner as it dipped towards the near post.

Juve also threatened when Jankulovski hesitated in his own penalty area and was robbed by Chiellini, but the pull-back couldn't reach Felipe Melo or Luca Toni.

Milan did break the deadlock with the last person they expected to find a way through. Gennaro Gattuso gathered a loose ball on the D after Andrea Barzagli's error and scuffed the left-foot shot, but it bobbled right in front of Buffon so the goalkeeper got a hand to it, but could not keep it out. It was Rino's first goal since January 2008.

Juventus showed no signs of a fightback, so threw on captain Alessandro Del Piero for the final 10 minutes, replacing an anonymous Matri. Instead, Ibra knocked down a Clarence Seedorf cross, but both Flamini and Robinho had their shots charged down for a corner.

Del Piero's corner was nodded off target, as three Juve players went for the header and put each other off. Chiellini was furious when he fell under a Gattuso challenge on the edge of the box, but the referee waved play on.

Former Juventus legend and current Republic of Ireland assistant manager Marco Tardelli gives his views on tonight’s “Last Chance Saloon” with Milan.

“At this moment it’s a lot easier for Milan than Juventus. For the Bianconeri it is the Last Chance Saloon, not just for European qualification, but also in terms of confidence,” he told TuttoMercatoWeb.

“The season isn’t over yet and Juve’s current form is down to many injuries and poor transfer decisions, made both in the summer and in January. They need to begin again and I hope, for the sake of Juventus, that tonight a new campaign can start.

“When the injuries occurred, it all collapses unless you have players of the right character. I have trouble spotting these men at Juventus right now.”

The Turin giants beat Inter only a few weeks ago, but followed that result up with back-to-back defeats against Lecce and Bologna.

“They probably find motivation against the big clubs that they cannot muster with smaller sides. I think it’s a psychological issue, although it could also be physical, as the minnows tend to work a lot harder.”

Tardelli is working as assistant manager to Giovanni Trapattoni on the Ireland bench, but is keeping a close eye on Serie A.

“Milan targeted the Scudetto from the start, even if originally I thought Inter would be the favourites. The Rossoneri are having a great season and when you win, it prompts you to play better football.

“We’ll see what will happen in the Champions League against Tottenham, as failure to go through to the next round could have a negative effect on the campaign.”

Spurs won 1-0 at San Siro in the first leg and welcome Milan to White Hart Lane on Wednesday evening.

The Milan teammates get along famously and are forming a strong strike partnership, particularly as both are known for their fiery personalities. Cassano has always made his childhood in the slums of Bari part of his character and feels strange so far up north.

“Gennaro Gattuso speaks Milanese now, he’s been here so long, therefore I am clearly more of a terrone (southerner) than he is,” grinned FantAntonio in GQ Italia.

“Ibra is wild, like me. Maybe he’s got a grandfather from Bari Vecchia... Alexandre Pato is scarily talented, as there isn’t anyone that good at that age.

“I am super happy to have come to Milan and we’ve got to win the Scudetto, but it’s tough for me to live here. I need to get used to it. My mother and my cousin Nicola gave up after three days of fog and went back to my old house by the sea.”

He declared his intention to return to Genoa one day after his rapport with Sampdoria ended in a row with President Riccardo Garrone, the latest of many outbursts that affected his career.

“There was a time when my head just refused to grow up. Some, like Fabio Capello, tried to put me on the right track, but there was nothing to be done.

“Massimiliano Allegri is a good guy, he knows how to approach me. I must also thank Cesare Prandelli for all he has done.

“Now I am expecting a child and it’s an uphill struggle, as soon my kid will know all the dumb things I did! It will be tough being credible at that point... but I’ll manage it.

“Just two things really count: the first is education and the second having a ball between your feet. The boy is showing positive signs already, as he constantly kicks in his mother’s tummy. Both right and left footed.”